What are Stem Cells?

Stem cell regenerative medicine is the future of healthcare

Stem Cell Definition and Types

Regenerative medicine is a cellular-level therapy that aims to improve the function of damaged or diseased tissue or organs by introducing cells to replace damaged cells. Today, regenerative medicine is being used to treat medical conditions across a range of medical specialties, including orthopedics, rheumatology, cardiology, neurology, and immunology.

Because of their ability to differentiate into cells that carry out the roles needed in a variety of organs, stem cells are an essential regenerative medicine tool. When stem cells are introduced into a damaged tissue or organ, they have the ability to evolve and carry out its necessary functions, compensating for the damaged cells. As a minimally invasive process, regenerative medicine harnesses the natural capabilities of stem cells and the body’s own ability to heal, providing an opportunity to avoid invasive procedures. For patients with injuries or chronic diseases, regenerative medicine is a source of hope.

Scope of Regenerative Therapy

Stem cells, which occur naturally in the body, are “naive” or unspecialized. This means that, based on cues from their environment, these cells can transform into and assume the functions of a variety of different cells in the body. The ability to mature in a context-specific way is the key to the vast potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine. When injected into a damaged tissue, stem cells specialize to carry out the necessary function in that particular area, improving symptoms and function.

There Are Four Types of Stem Cells:

The cells in healthcare are a subcategory of pluripotent stem

cells called mesenchymal stem cells.

Totipotent

These stem cells are able to specialize into any kind of tissue.

Pluripotent

Cells that can specialize into any kind of tissue, with the exception of placental tissue.

Multipotent

These stem cells can specialize into 2+ cell types.

Unipotent

Stem cells that can only specialize into one type of cell.

What Makes Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Different

MigrationMSCs have a special ability to move to specific tissues, going where the body needs them most. This means that stem cells can be injected into the bloodstream to then move on their own to the affected area.

RepairIn the case of tissue damage, MSCs have the ability to release growth factors and specialize into a number of tissue cell types that allow for the tissue to be regenerated.

ImmunomodulationWhen foreign cells are introduced in the body, the concern is that they will often generate an immune response. Because MSCs express very few antigens on their surfaces that can generate an immune response (like MHCI or MHCII), they do not elicit a reaction from the patient’s immune system T-cells, making them safe to use.

Reduction of InflammationMSCs reduce the signal cells that promote inflammation (like TNF-alpha and TNF-gamma). While this is another function that helps them to avoid the immune response, it is also essential to stem cells’ utility in chronic and autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation.

Where Stem Cells Come From

While stem cells are found throughout the body, the stem cells used in medicine today may be derived from four different sources: umbilical cord tissue, embryonic tissue, bone marrow, and adipose tissue. However, some sources have their drawbacks. Embryonic stem cells raise ethical concerns, while bone marrow and adipose tissue stem cells can only be retrieved through surgical procedures.

Considering this, BioGenix uses exclusively umbilical cord stem cells. Umbilical cord tissue retrieval, which takes place immediately after the umbilical cord is cut upon delivery, is non-invasive and ethically sound. In addition to containing mesenchymal stem cells, umbilical cord tissue is a source of growth factors that also play an important role in regenerative medicine.

How Stem Cells Work:

respond

When an area of the body is injured or not functioning properly, distress signals are sent through the bloodstream. These signals serve to recruit mesenchymal stem cells to the affected area.

Dock

Once in the affected area, stem cells dock on other cells and begin to produce signalling proteins that work to regulate inflammation, aid in angiogenesis, and promote tissue repair.​

Specialize

Stem cells then mature to carry out the functions of the cells that are needed. In this way, they compensate for the cells that are damaged, nonfunctional, or lacking to improve organ function, and consequently improve disease symptoms.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

We are partnering with clinicians all over the world to introduce them to regenerative medicine and show clinicians how they can use the power of the latest stem cell technology to improve patient care and their quality of life.